The game changer in maximizing results, athletic propulsion, and a key component in the gait cycle
Whether walking or running, it is your individual gait cycle that determines how efficiently you move, your athletic propulsion, and how effectively your foot absorbs impact and transfers energy. There are key components to the gait cycle that can be identified and measured that can in turn help maximize the way you move and distribute energy.
The athletic propulsion ‘push off’ phase
Speed and direction are influenced by propulsion, a key component in the gait cycle. Propulsion or the “push off” phase of the gait cycle begins at the end of the stance phase, immediately when the heel lifts off the ground.
During this phase, the foot supinates slightly which in turn allows the intrinsic structures of the mid foot to become taut. It is this built-in support structure that not only stabilizes the mid foot but also acts as a rigid lever, propelling the body forward. However, a significant number of people lack this support structure due to excessive pronation.
In the presence of excessive foot pronation, stability of the mid foot is compromised by placing undue stress on the intrinsic soft tissues of the foot, resulting in greater risk of injury to the foot and ankle as well as the other structures up the kinetic chain, including the knee, hip and spine. Identifying and correcting excessive pronation in the athlete is not only vitally important but can also be a real game changer.
Maximizing efficiency
One of the keys to maximizing efficiency is to influence an athlete’s athletic propulsion. Propulsion is that driving force that allows the athlete to explode during the push off phase of the gait cycle.
When assessing and treating conditions that affect the athlete, such as pronation, the clinician should consider the propulsive aspect of the gait cycle. All of the phases of the gait cycle contribute to propulsion. Maximizing propulsion affects walking and running efficiency, including increase in speed.
Integrity and support of the three arches of the foot improves efficiency in moving smoothly and explosively through the gait cycle from heel strike to propulsion or “push off.” There are three distinct arches in the foot that affect the gait cycle: the transverse or metatarsal arch, the medial longitudinal arch, and the lateral longitudinal arch form the foot’s plantar vault. The plantar vault acts as a rocker and catapult transferring weight to the forefoot.
What follows next is massive propulsion during the final push off phase of the gait cycle. Support of these three arches of the foot with a custom flexible orthotic is an important component to this transition.
The importance of the lateral longitudinal arch
Some clinicians and therapists discount the role the lateral longitudinal arch plays in foot biomechanics. This idea is based on its relative flatness. I disagree with this assessment.
The lateral longitudinal arch is an integral part of the plantar vault. The lateral longitudinal arch consists of the 4th and 5th metatarsals and the cuboid bone. What is clinically significant about this arch is the cuboid bone and its propensity to subluxate toward the plantar aspect of the foot, most notably during an inversion ankle sprain.
Unfortunately, ankle sprains are commonplace. In fact, ankle sprains are one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries. For this reason alone, supporting this arch is clinically significant. Cuboid subluxations can be extremely painful and can affect the gait cycle, leading to further injury. Therefore, especially in the case of ankle sprain injuries, supporting the lateral longitudinal arch is vitally important for injury rehab and prevention.
Treating the elite athlete
I have learned and observed a lot of things about athletes throughout my career. Elite athletes are hyper-in-tune to their bodies. They understand the importance of providing their bodies with the right environment necessary to maximize performance.
While working with our Olympic Track and Field Team as a member of its sports medicine team, I had the privilege of treating some of the greatest athletes in the world. Track and field athletes are a unique breed. Their success is totally dependent on how their body responds on the day they compete. I observed many things while working on these athletes, but one of the most fascinating is how in-tune to their bodies they are.
While providing treatment in the medical tent located adjacent to the warm-up track, it was common for the athlete to receive treatment, head out to warm up, and then moments later, return requesting further treatment for additional fine tuning. It was obvious how intimately they knew their body and the intricacies of how it works.
Gait analysis and custom orthotics
It was working with these track and field athletes that I gained a greater appreciation for the role the foot plays, not only in the gait cycle but also the impact it has on the ankles, knees, hips and spine.
Gait analysis is a routine part of evaluating the track and field and most other athletes as well. The information obtained allows the athlete and clinician to address areas of issue and improve gait efficiency and performance.
When it comes to enhancing performance in the running athlete, propulsion is an important factor. Elite athletes understand this principle and utilize training techniques and supportive aids to improve explosiveness via propulsion.
A custom orthotic with added shock absorption helps reduce this impact. This improvement reduces injury risks by minimizing the cumulative effects of repetitive impact loading. Axial loading affects the foot as well as all of the musculoskeletal structures up the kinetic chain. Managing the effect of shock enhances athletic performance and reduces injury risks for athletes of all levels.
Having the right equipment is vital for those who want to maximize athletic propulsion and performance.
Custom flexible orthotics have been one of those tools in the athlete’s toolbox, along with ongoing care from a skilled chiropractor who understands the unique challenges of addressing sports injuries and helping to proactively prevent them.
KURT A. JUERGENS, DC, CCSP, is a graduate of Brigham Young University and Texas Chiropractic College. He is the owner of Juergens Chiropractic & Sports Rehab Center in Houston, Texas, where he continues to treat student and professional athletes in all fields from around the world. He has been a member of the sports medicine team for the United States Olympic Track and Field Trials, the NCAA Track & Field Championships, and the ATP World Tour’s Tennis Masters Cup and U.S. Clay Court Championships. As a member of Foot Levelers Speakers Bureau, he travels the country speaking on chiropractic topics with a focus on sports medicine. See upcoming continuing education seminars at footlevelers.com/seminars.
